FanHouse TroyEllerman

The recent news of BALCO attorney Troy Ellerman getting sentenced to prison for two and a half years was making me wonder what was new in the federal investigation of Barry Bonds. Particularly, I was wondering whether or not Bonds would be indicted prior to breaking the home run record. Considering Bonds is at 753 and only three away from breaking Hank Aaron's record, he'll most likely break the record within the next few weeks. That is crucial for Barry given light of the most recent news. As Steroid Nation has pointed out, T.J. Quinn in the New York Daily News is reporting that the grand jury investigating Bonds has been extended six months and that they are close to an indictment.

The grand jury investigating Barry Bonds has been extended for another six months, several sources familiar with the government's case have told the Daily News, and the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco is confident it will have enough evidence to secure an indictment once it resumes in September.

"They seem to feel they have a strong case," said one source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Another source said he believed prosecutors could secure an indictment if they sought one now, but that they would rather take the additional time to strengthen it. The grand jurors have not met for at least three weeks and have been instructed that they will not reconvene until September. Bonds is being investigated for perjury and tax evasion.

"If the case is 90% now, there's no reason not to go for 100%," the source said. "They aren't just waiting around for Greg Anderson."

Last week I told you that BALCO attorney Troy Ellerman agreed to a longer prison sentence than the original maximum sentence. Now, news has come out that Ellerman has been sentenced to prison for two and a half years. To refresh your memory, Ellerman is the man who leaked the confidential grand jury testimony of ballplayers such as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, and Gary Sheffield to San Francisco Chronicle writers Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.

Just as I said before, you have Ellerman going to prison for two and a half years, while both Victor Conte and Greg Anderson have completed their prison terms. Jason Giambi will be meeting with George Mitchell later in the month. Meanwhile, Barry Bonds is still partying like a rock star at night, and cracking home runs, well, by night as well. Something just doesn't seem right.

Previously at FanHouse:
BALCO Attorney Troy Ellerman Agrees to Long Prison Sentence

Lesson be learned, you leak federal grand jury testimonies to reporters, you will go to prison. For a long time. That's what's happening to Victor Conte's BALCO attorney Troy Ellerman, who gave information about athletes being investigated for steroids use such as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, and Gary Sheffield, to San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.

In papers filed in San Francisco federal court Thursday, prosecutors said Troy Ellerman is willing to accept that sentence [maximum of two years and nine months] after a judge last month rejected the original 24-month maximum sentence as too lenient.

Federal prosecutors did agree to reduce his maximum fine to $60,000 from $250,000.

District Court Judge Jeffrey White, who rejected the earlier deal, still must approve the new agreement when Ellerman returns to court July 12.

How long the actual sentence is remains to be determined. But we do know that this guy will be going to prison for quite some time. So that should take care of Ellerman, with Greg Anderson and Victor Conte already having served their terms. Next up, Bonds, Sheffield, and Giambi? I doubt it, but it's certainly a possibility.